Most of my suggestions for stress relief involve distracting yourself from stressors with something you can enjoy. Clearing your mind before you even try to relax could definitely make de-stressing more effective, and it's just not health to let stressful thoughts fill your head all the time. There is no need to forget about or neglect those thoughts, but there is a need to think about other things in life.
My first recommendation is to go on a good run. Take a look at another blog about running/jogging, and read further about how you can use exercise to manage stress by following the link at the end of Christine Luff's post. The information is interesting and sensible. Simply put, healthiness increases happiness. In addition, running manages hormones that contribute to stress and can give you a "natural high". Also, as the Exercise and Stress Relief article states, "research suggests that physical activity may be linked to lower physiological reactivity toward stress." Not only will running enhance your mental and physical state, it will prepare you to better naturally react to stressors is the future.
Other methods of clearing your mind are available to those who don't intend to throw on running shoes any time soon. Try focused meditation. It lets you think about what you want and not what you feel you have to. Constantly thinking about the list of things you have to get done at work around the house or at school won't make you accomplish them any faster. So don't waste time thinking about that stuff when you can focus on something enjoyable, then think about any stressful responsibilities when the time comes to address them. You can learn how to practice focus meditation and some of its benefits by researching, or you can just let go of any restraint and try it a couple times. Maybe it's just the solution you need at the end of the day!
I used to be a runner. Since my knees have deteriorated, I swim when I can (dang, limited Lehigh pool schedule) and do a lot of baking. Many of my experiments don't work. But it's the handy work that helps me relax. Just taught my daughter how to make basic bread by hand yesterday. That turned out a lot better than muffins earlier in the week.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the repetitive motion that focuses thoughts. I have also found great opportunity for mind wandering while gardening, knitting, sewing or crafting. Some of my friends enjoy making art as stress relief. Classes at Banana Factory are great for that. And also drumming circles are very effective.